Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2019 Plan Updates
2019 Plan Updates
2019 Plan Updates
The following is a comprehensive list of changes that were made to the previous
approved Orange County Mutual Aid Plan and are represented in the 2019 revision.
• Performance Testing of Aerial Devices per NFPA 1911 (Current Edition), Chapter 19
• Performance Testing of Fire Pumps per NFPA 1911 (Current Edition), Chapter 18
• Service Testing of Ground Ladders per NFPA 1932 (Current Edition), Chapter 7
• Service Testing of Fire Hose per NFPA 1962 (Current Edition), Chapter 4
Withdrawal from this Plan subsection, paragraph 2:
Added: “and has been approved to do so by the Fire Coordinator”
Use and Abuse of Mutual Aid subsection:
Removed: In addition, if the automatic response is to extend beyond thirty (30) calendar days,
the request must be filed in writing with the Fire Coordinator and signed by the chiefs of all
departments involved
Under generally accepted standards (ISO Municipal Grading Schedule), a fire department is
expected to have appropriately trained manpower and equipment to handle two emergencies of
moderate proportion. In essence a fire department would be expected to be able to at least fill a
first alarm assignment and still have available resources to provide a minimal level of protection
to its jurisdiction.
Use and Abuse of Mutual Aid subsection, paragraph 6:
Added: Should any fire department deem another fire department is abusing mutual aid, the Chief
of the department reporting the abuse will notify, in writing, the Fire Coordinator with specifics
detailing the alleged abuse. The Chief of the fire department being accused of abusing mutual aid
and one or more members of the governing body (fire commissioners, village board, town board
or member of the Board of Directors) shall, upon notification from the County Fire Coordinator,
appear before the Fire Advisory Board. Notice of time and place of the hearing shall be given by
the County Fire Coordinator or by registered mail, not less than ten (10) calendar days prior to
the day of the hearing.
The notice must specify the details of the alleged abuse of Mutual Aid. The Fire Advisory Board
must forward to the County Fire Coordinator its written findings and recommendations. The
County Fire Coordinator, upon receipt of such findings and recommendations, must take
appropriate action, including, but not limited to suspension or ejection from this Plan provided that
no area of the County shall be left unprotected. The Fire Coordinator does not possess the power
to take disciplinary action against a fire company officer. Notification of the action taken will be
sent to the fire department/fire company insurance carriers and ISO commercial risk services.
Added to Extent and limit of authority of the County Fire Coordinator Subsection:
Note: The chief of each fire department will be the primary point of contact for the County Fire
Coordinator. The chief of fire department is responsible to notify his/her respective fire district or
municipal boards and his/her subordinate officers and members of any matters or policies that
warrant their awareness.
Added to Deputy Fire Coordinators subsection:
The Fire Coordinator shall appoint and supervise all Deputy Fire Coordinators, and assign them
to a Battalion or other assignment, to assist with the implementation of the Plan. Deputy Fire
Coordinators shall serve at the pleasure of the Fire Coordinator for a term of five (5) years and
may be removed at any time. Deputy Fire Coordinators may be re-appointed at the
conclusion of their five (5) year term at the discretion of the Fire Coordinator.
Authority of “requesting” fire chief or officer in Charge subsection, paragraph 4:
Changed to: A department requesting a standby company shall leave personnel at their station
to act as guides for the mutual aid company when possible.
Authority of “requesting” fire chief or officer in Charge subsection, paragraph 6:
Changed to: Any firefighter having responded to an incident, shall not make statements, provide
photos or other images to the news media, or engage in social media regarding the incident,
unless authorized to do so by the Incident Commander of the incident and through any internal
approvals of their department. Any request for information regarding an incident is to be directed
to the Incident Commander of the incident.
Title Page
Change Logo, Change County Exec name, Change Commissioner Name, updated revision
information
Purpose section:
Changed “the” to “this”
Statement section:
Changed wording
Definition section:
• Moved Fire Coordinator definition to under Office of the Fire Coordinator Section.
• Changed State “Sate Division of Fire and Safety (now OFPC)” to New York State Office
of Fire Prevention and Control
• Changed "This office acts as a liaison between the County Legislature, the Fire Advisory
Board," to "The Fire Coordinator acts as a liaison between the County Executive, County
Legislature, the Fire Advisory Board,"
• Added NFPA
• Re-ordered alphabetically
Amendments section:
• Changed structure to move amendments steps under a line
• Changed wording to “Amendments to this Plan shall be made whenever deemed
necessary by the County Fire Advisory Board and/or the County Fire Coordinator, but at
minimum every five (5) years.”
• Item 3: Changed wording to “The approved Plan will be submitted to the OFPC”